Pumping mechanism



Jan. 20, 1953 J. E. DAvls ETAL PUMPING MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 15. 1945 James and Arzr J'andzo/r 3mm /aAAA/ Jan. 20, 1953 J. E. DAvls ETAL PUMPING MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 13, 1945 Jan. 20, 1953 J. E. DAvls ETAL PUMPING MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 13, 1945 www // /VVVV/V//// H f A.

James EDan/s and Arthur Sand/:afer

Jan. 20, 1953 J. E. DAvls ETAL PUMPING MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 15, 1945 m pa E. .w

Arthur San dh afer Jan. 20, 1953 J. E. DAvls ETAL PUMPING MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 13, 1945 125 les 16o Jahres E. Davis and Suma/VMM vll/l...

Patented Jan. 20, 1953 PUMPING MECHANISM James E. Davis, Abilene, and Arthur Sandhofer, Cisco, Tex.; Rena Sandhofer administratrix of said Arthur Sandhofer, deceased Application .lanuary 13, 1945, Serial No. 572,614

(Cl. B-4) 2l Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in pumping mechanisms.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved pumping mechanism so constructed that oil may be simultaneously produced from two formations Within a single well bore and conducted to the surface while preventing interchanging of the products of the formations.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved pumping mechanism for producing dual completion wells wherein the product of either formation may be mechanically lifted to the surface, while simultaneously permitting the other formation to flow of its own accord or mechanically lifting its products, the interchanging of the products of the formations being prevented and said products being separately conducted to the surface or being permitted to admix within the well, whereby the improved mechanism may be employed under substantially all conditions.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved dual pumping mechanism having means for lifting the well fluids of each formation, together with means for conducting the well fluids of the lower formation above the well fluid inlet of the upper formation so as to prevent interchanging of said well fluids; the lifting means being arranged so as to be operable simultaneously by a single string of pump rods.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved pumping mechanism, of the character described, having a tubular pump plunger with an axial conductor communicating with the bore thereof for accommodating the passage of the well fluids from one formation, while well fluids from the other formation are accommodated externally of the pump plunger, whereby said well fluids may be separately lifted to the surface.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved pumping mechanism, of the character described, having separate conductors for maintaining the well fluids of the formations separated from each other, together with means for packing off the conductors and said formations from each other, whereby admiring and interchanging of said well fluids are prevented; the uids being permitted to admix, if desired, above the inlet from the uppermost formation and conducted to the surface together in a single conductor so as to permit the use of solid surface or pump rods.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved pumping mechanism, of the character described, which may be run into and anchored within a well conductor and which may be readilyremoved whenever desired.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved pumping mechanism, of the character described, having a single string of pump rods to actuate either a single reciprocable member for internally lifting the well fluids of one formation and externally lifting the weil fluids of the other formation or a pair of reciprocable members for separately lifting said fluids to the surface so as to simultaneously produce two formations.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by a reference to the accompanying drawing,

wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a transverse, vertical, sectional View of a well bore having a pumping mechanism, constructed in accordance with the invention, mounted therein,

Figs. 2 and 3 are enlarged, transverse, vertical, sectional views of the pumping mechanism, showing the upper and lower portions thereof, respectively,

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are further enlarged, transverse, vertical, sectional views of the mechanism, being substantially continuations of each other,

Fig. 8 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of a modified form of pump rod,

Fig. 9 is a horizontal, cross-sectional View, taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 6,

Fig, 10 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line Iiil0 of Fig. 5,

Fig. 11 is an isometric view of one of the guide collars,

Fig. 12 is a partial isometric view of the latch assembly out of latching position,

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are views, similar to Figs. e through 6, of the upper portion of a slightly modified form of mechanism,

Fig. 16 is a horizontal, cross-sectional View, taken on the line IG-IB of Fig. 13, and

Figs. 17, 18 and 19 are continuation views, partly in elevation and partly in section of the modified pumping mechanism shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and l5.

In the drawings, the numeral Iii designates a well bore which extends through an upper oil sand or producing formation A and which has its lower end extending at least into a lower oil sand or producing formation B. The usual well casing II is mounted within the well bore and has a casing head I2 connected to its upper end. As will be hereinafter described, a pumping mechanism is adapted to be lowered into the Well bore through the casing II and is adapted to be suspended from the head I2 by a string of tubing I3 in the usual manner. A packerA I4, of rubber or other suitable material, is disposed within the lower portion of the casing intermediate the .producing formations for sealing oi therebetween and this packer is preferably carried by and surrounds the lower portion of the tubing. as isrclearly shown in Fig. 3. A special coupling collar I5, having `an annular, tapered seat I6 formed internally thereof at its intermediate portion, is connected in the tubing above the packer, while a lifting mechanism C is disposed within said tubing thereabove. Preferably below the producing formation A, the tubing I3 has a second liftingA mechanism -D connected therein,which mechanisin includes a"pair of enlarged, cylindrical sleeves or hou gfs- II and I8 interconnected by a straight nipple "ISL The llatter supports an outlet or discharge valve assembly E, forming a part of the lifting mechanism D, within the upper housing I'I. The lower end o f the lower sleeve I8 is'coiinected to t-he tubing by a standing or 'suction valve assembly F which isy also a part of the mechanism D.

For operating the lifting mechanism C and D, a tubular pump rod 2? is axially suspended within the tubing I3 so as to extend through the rnechanism'D and its valve assemblies E and F and yhave its lower end connected to the mechanism CL As shown inA Fig. 1, the tubing projects above the casing headr I2 and has a stuiiiiig box 2| connected'to its upper end for seal-ing" 'oi naround ijf-ie rod '2B which projects thereabove. Suitable tees 22 andv 23 are connected in therod and tubing, respectively, and communicate with flow lines 24 and 25, respectively', for rconducting the lfou-ids lifted from theI producing formations A a'nd B. If desired, 'lines 24Aand 25 may communicate with each other.

As is clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 7, yan inlet or standing valve 26 is disposed within the tubing I3 below the iiecha-'Iiism C andi'nc'ludes a ball 2l conned within the usual valve cage 28 upon an 'annular valve seat 29. For supportting'fthe vstanding valve and maintaining the seat 29 in position within vthe cage 28, a cylindrical' seating member 'or nipple 3i) is screwthreaded 'within the lower end of said cage so as to engage the undersideo'f said 4seat and has an external tapered portion -3I at its lower end which is adaptedv 'tof engage the tapered seat IB of the collar I5. A tubular gas anchor or inlet pipe 32, having a closed, perforated lower end portion 33 (Figs. 1 and 3), depends axially from the seating nipple 39 through 4the lowermost section of tubing I3y and into the open well bore at 'the formation B. Manifestly, the ball 2,'Il prevents `a downward low pastr the standing valve, while permitting an upward flow through saidv'alve. vThe upper vend of the cage 28 is provided with a screwfthreaded socket 34 to facilitate installation and removal of the valve 26, seating nipple 3:6 vand gas anchor 32.

The mechanism C includes va working vbarrel or cylinder 35 which is connected in the tubing string lI3 above the standing valve 23. A tubular pump plunger'o'r piston 36, having 'upwardlydirected upper cupsl3'l and downwardly-directed lower cups 38 on its exterior as shown in Figi 6, is mounted to reciprocate within the working barrel 35. The upper end of the plunger 36 is connected with the lower end of the tubular rod 20 by a travelling or dischargeI valve 39 which includes an annular valve seat 49 and a ball 4I conned within a blind valve cage 42. For establishing communication vbetween the bores of the ,tubularv plunger Vand rod, a plurality of vertical ribs 'i243 (Fig. 9) are formed on the internal surface of the blind cage 42 and an axial opening it is provided at the top of said cage. The ball il is adapted to seat on Ithe upstroke of the plunger, whereby any iluidsabove said Yplunger will be forced or lifted' upwardly." On the' downstroke, the ball will be unseated so as to facilitate downward movement of the plunger through the well fluids in the usual manner. Manifestly, the plunger is reciprocated by reciprocation of the rod 2U.

It is pointed out that due to the provision of lthe blind cage 425 thebore oi the plunger 36 is closed on 'from communicationwith the upper end of the workingbarrel 35 and the tubing thereabo've whereby the well fluids of theformationB lifted bysai'd plunger is through thev bore ofthe tubular rod. will hereinafter be more fully explained, theannular space be-y tweenthe rod andthe working barrel as well as the tubing ther'e'ab'ove istiliz'ed in 'conjunction with the mechanism E to'lift the well fluids from the fiiilatio-i A; whereby lthe pump plunger forms a part 'of both mechanisms D and C so 'as to eliminate the necessity of einploying another 'pu-'nip plungerf" As shown in Fig. "5, thelstanding nor inlet valve assembly of the in`echaniszh'-D`7is 'disfpos'e'd above the mechanisi'n'C: and serves 'to connect the lower 'enafef said mechanism D to the tubing I3 by having a depending 'collar $5 which is' internally "screwthieaded' A)for receiving said tubing. Thea'sseiiiblyV includes a cylindrical body or sleevee of substantial-ly the same diameter as the tubing and the' cenar 45 is preferably made integral with the lower end of the body; Immediately above this' een-ar, the intermediate portion' YOfftl'iey body iSA'eilarged a'nd externallyv screw-threaded ia's' shown at 41. for connection 'with 'the lower endv o'f the enlarged sleeve 18. A plurality o'f vertical'p'orts or openings 'A8L-'extend entirely through 'th'en larged portion lfo'f` the fbody externally 'of its bore and the lower end y'of-these ports 'communicate'V with the annular space withinthe 'casing II exterior of the mechanism Daind Vtubing -I73Q An annular'or ringv valve seat '49, having ver-tical ports 5U registering with then ports '48., surrounds the body 45' and'iss'upp'o'rted by fthe enlarged. portionL 4T thereof. VThe upper end of the'seat ports' '50 communicates with 4'an annular groove or recess 5I formed in the top of the seat 49 and this groove is adaptedyto be closed by an 'annularfor ringA valve 52 which is slidablymounted upon. thejupper end of the body 46 (Fig. 10). If desird,"the lower end-"of the ring 52 'may be eroovedor 'recessed complementary `to. the groove "51 'as shown by Athe numeral "53. ForV holding.r the 'seat 49 'in fpo'si` tion upon Vthe body, al'guide'A sleeve 'or cofll'a'r '54-Y telescopes 'the' upper portion of "said body iinterlnally o'f the ring 'ianlis Yheld in engagement with the upper 'surface 'of "'safi'seat byfa Apalirltif nuts 55 r'and `56 'Ascfewtlireaded 'upon @the ipper end of the body. Upward movement of -tlie'walife ring `relative to vthe body and lthe '-va'lvejseajt `xi's limited by a plurality of radially projecting lugs or ears 51 formed upon the upper end of the guide collar 54 (Fig. 1l). It is pointed out that the internal and external diameters of the valve rings are of suitable dimensions to permit free vertical movement of said ring and to provide annular flow spaces internally and externally thereof.

Manifestly, a flow Within the casing I I and externally of the tubing I3, upwardly through the ports 48 and 5I) as well as the grooves 5I and `53, will unseat the valve ring 52 and permit well fluids to pass upwardly into the sleeve I8 of the mechanism D. As is clearly shown in Fig. 5, the body 46 has an axial bore 58 of substantially the same diameter as the internal diameter of the tubing and the upper end of this bore opens into the sleeve I8 so as to establish communication between said tubing and sleeve. The casing I I is perforated at 59 (Fig. 1) opposite the formation A for permitting the flow of the well iiuids into said casing and these well fluids will ll the annular space within the casing externally of the tubing above the packer I4 so as to flow upwardly through the valve assembly F into the sleeve I8. Since the tubing section below the valve assembly communicates with the sleeve through the bore 58 of the body 46, 'the well fluids will flow downwardly within said tubing externally of the tubular rod and into the working barrel 35 of the mechanism C so as to fill the annular space within said tubing and working barrel above the plunger 36. These well uids will be lifted externally of the rod 29 upon the upstroke of. the plunger 36 and said fluids will be forced upwardly through the standing valve assembly E, as will hereinafter be more fully explained. The downstroke of the plunger will draw additional well uids from the casing, through the valve assembly F into the sleeve I8.

As is clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the discharge valve assembly E includes an elongate tubular sleeve or mandrel 66 of substantially the same diameter as the tubing and having external screw-threads 6I at its upper portion. C'omplementary, internal screw-threads 62 are formed on the lower end of the nipple I9 for receiving and co-acting with the screw-threads 6I of the mandrel so as to support the same within the mechanism D in surrounding relationship to the tubular rod 29. For establishing communication betweenvthe upper end of the sleeve I8 and the lower end of the discharge valve assembly, a plurality of vertical ports or openings 63 are formed in the nipple I9 and the upper end of these ports are interconnected by an annular groove or recess 64 provided in the top of said nipple spindle. Screw-threaded upon the mandrel 6I above the nipple is an annular or ring valve seat 65 similar to the seat A9 of the inlet valve assembly and having vertical ports or openings 66 which communicate with the annular groove 6# and ports 63 of said nipple. It is preferable` to provide complementary, annular grooves or recesses 61 and 68 in the lower and upper ends of the seat 65 with the lower groove 61 overlying and registering with the groove 64 of the nipple so as to establish communication between the ports 63 and 66. 'For maintaining the valve seat 65 in engagement with the nipple, an annular guide member or collar 69, similar to the guide collar 54 of the inlet valve assembly and having similar radial lugs 1I), is confined upon the upper portion of the mandrel 60 by a pair of nuts 1I and 12 which are screw-threaded upon the screw-threaded portion 6I of said mandrel. An annular or ring valve 13 is slidably mounted upon the guide collar 69 and overlies the groove 68 of the valve seat so as to close and to prevent ow through the ports 63 and 66. Upward movement of the ring valve 13 is limited by the radial lugs 1D of the guide collar and the internal and external diameters of said ring are such that vertical movement of the ring relative to its seat is readily permitted. Due to the housing I1 connecting the upper end of the nipple I9 to the tubing section thereabove, the major portion of the discharge valve assembly is dispoed within said housing.

An annular groove 14, complementary to the groove 68, of the valve seat, is formed in the lower end of the ring valve and is vertically alined with said seat groove so as to expose an amplified or enlarged surface to upward flow through said seat. When the ring valve is engaging the seat, the groove 68 is closed so as to prevent flow through the valve assembly. However, an upward flow from the sleeve I8 through the ports and grooves of the nipple I9 and valve seat will unseat the ring valve so as to permit the well fluids within said sleeve to enter the housing I1 and the tubing thereabove. Thus, the well fluids from the producing formation A, which are admitted to the annular chamber of the sleeve I8 by the inlet valve assembly F and elevated or lifted within said chamber by the upward reeiprocation of the plunger 36, will be discharged by the valve assembly E and, subsequently, lifted to the surface through the tubing string externally of the rod 20 so as to eventually flow outwardly through the surface line 25 (Fig. 1).

It is pointed out that the ring valve 52 of the inlet valve assembly F is in its raised position with the ball 4I of the travelling valve 39 upon the downstroke of the plunger 36, while the ring valve 65 of the discharge valve assembly E is in its closed position as is the valve 21 of the standing valve 26. Upward movement of the plunger will move the latter ball and ring valve to their open positions and close the ball 4I and ring valve 52. Thus, the well fluids of the formation A are admitted and accumulated above the plunger on the downstroke thereof, while being lifted upon the upstroke of said plunger. It is noted that the grooves 64 and 61 of the nipple I9 and valve seat 65 are provided to assure communication between the ports 63 and 66, while the grooves 68 and 14 of the valve seat and ring valve assure a more even distribution of the flow and tend to prevent cutting of said seat and ring valve. Obviously, the latter also applies to the grooves 5I and 53 of the valve seat 49 and ring valve 52.

For sealing off the bore of the mandrel 66 from the interior of the housing I1 and preventing the well fluids trapped above the valve assembly E from flowing through said mandrel into the sleeve I8, a packing assembly 15 is mounted within said mandrel bore in surrounding relationship to the tubular rod 29. The packing assembly resembles the plunger 3S and includes upper and lower collars 16 and 11 having reduced outer end portions and connected by an intermediate sleeve 18 which has a snug sliding fit within the annular space between the mandrel and tubular rod. Each collar of the packing assembly is substantially identical and carries external packing cups 19 for sealing on" externally of said assembly and these cups are held in position upon the reduced outer end portion vof each collar by spacer rings 7. 8i) in the usual manner. It is pointed out that the outermost ring 8l] is preferably screw-thread@ ed upon its respective collar. The inner end prtion of eachY collar ,is reduced in diameter and externally screw-threaded asv shown at 8l for engaging within one end of the sleeve 18 and confming internal packing rings 82 within said sleeve in engagement with the exterior of the rod 20. plurality of annular spacers 83v space the packing rings 82 from one another and assist inmaintaining the same in sealing engagement with the" rod 20. Manifes'tly, the packing assembly 15 efficiently seals off thebore of the mandrel 50 from the interior of the hous'iriglLwhile permitting relative movement of the' ro'd 2).

For supporting'the packing assembly'within the mandrel, an annular, flanged nut 84 is screwthreaded upon the upper extremity of the upper" packing assembly collar 'IT above the outermost spacer -ring 80. and`Y its ang'e engages the upper end of said mandrel Which projectsv above the uppermost nut l2. A latch assembly 85' is carried by the packing assembly' l5 for locking the same against vertical displacement and includes a cylindrical sleeve or body 8e which is screwthreaded upon the reduced outer end of the lower collar Y'it of'said assembly (Figs. 5 and 12). Disposed'within the b'ore of the latch body B75 are a pluralityof flexible, vertical latch lingers or elements B7 which have their" upper ends connected by a ring 88. A radial lug 89'is formed on the lower portion of each finger 8l and each lug Vextends through a slot' or opening 99 in the body .BSIinto an annular groove Sl formed in the bore`V ofthe mandrel 60 adjacent its lower end. Duel to theengag'ement ofthe lugs 89 within the slots 963, it is manifest that the latch fingers 81' are held in. position within the latch body even'when ;said lugs are outv of vengagement withthe mandrel Lgroei/'elli'(Fig. 12). Itis pointedout that the llower .portion of each latch finger', which carries 4one-.ofthe radiallugs, is of increased thickness soas to provide the desired'rigidity andthe externalilower-.surfaceof this thickened -portion of thenger is .beveled or tapered upwardly and Aoutwardlyas: shown at`92'.'V This beveled surface is adapted toV co-act with a'n annular, internallybeveledpollar 93of reduced diameter, which is preferably madev integral. with the upper "end of the travelling valve 'gfof the plunger 315 (Fig. 6), for releasing the latching-assembly 85'and permitting removal of 4the` packing. assembly l5 'as well as saidplunger.

Due to th'e'internal diameters of the mandrel 60, body 4B Vand working barrel 35 being substantially equal to the internal diameter ofthe `tubing I3,- the tubular rod 20, plunger 36 with'its travelling -valve 39, latch assembly 85Y and pack-l ing assembly areadapted to be inserted into andY withdrawn from the position shown in'Fi'gs. 1 through, 7. UponY the removal of these' elements,` the standing valve-V26, its nipple v3l) andthe gas anchor 32 may be inserted or removed byengaging a suitable tool (not shown) Iwithin the screw-threaded socket34 of said standing'valve. Since the-collar -93 ofthe plunger travelling valve Sais of less diameter than the internal diameter 0f the latch sleeve 86,-itris manifest that lthe internal bevel of said collarmay be engaged with thebeveled surfaces 92 of the latch fingers Sl by upward movement of the plunger and tubular'- rodwhereby said fingers willbe forced inwardly so as to retract their lugs-89 from engagement withthe groove 9i ofthe mandrel 5U. Upon suchA release of thelatch` assembly 85, the. rod

and the various elements carried by said rod may Y be readily removed. from the well. fIt 1s pointed out that the' latch fingers may beheld retracted by the collar 93 upon installation or running in of the rod and the aforesaid elements to prevent hanging of the lugs 89 upon joints or other obstructions within the tubing. However, it is preferable to bevel the lower edges of these lugs as shown at 94, thereby rendering retraction of the saine during lowering vunnecessary and permitting said lugs toY slide over the tubing joints. The rod and elements are lowered until the hanged nut 84 of the packing assembly l5 engages the upper end of the mandrel 60 and the lugs of the latch fingers engage within thefannul'ar groove 9`l Vof saidmandreLit being pointed out Vthat the weight ,of said packing assembly is supported by said flanged nut and not'by said lugs; After thepos'itioning and latching of the packing assembly, thertubulalr rod and plunger 35 are4 lowered untilthe latter is disposed within the working barrel 35 and is spaced a sufficient distance from' the latch assembly 85. The surface connections are then'fastened to the tubing and rodV and the pumping mechanism is ready for operation. I.

As has been pointed out hereinbefore, the well fiuids from the formation A will .flow into the casing through the perforations 59 (Fig. 1) and will accumulate within said' casing above the packer i4 so as to be drawn through .the inlet valve assembly F (Fig. 5A) into'the annular chamber formed by the sleeve 8 of the lifting mechanism D (Fig. 4) upon the' downstroke of the tubular rod 2Q and plunger 36 (Fig. 6). Of cours-e, these well fluids will ow into and eventually ll the bore 58 of the body 45, the tubing I3 and the working barrel 35 externally of the rod and above the plunger. At the same time, the well fluids from the formation B, which have flowed into the gas anchor 32 through the perforations 33 and drawn into the working barrel through the standing valve 26 (Fig. 7) upon the upstroke of the plunger, will be forced upwardly through the bore of said plunger and its travelling valve 39 into the bore of the tubular rod 2e due to the downward movement of said plunger. Upon upward reciprocation ofthe plunger, the we ll fluids A will be lifted upwardly through the discharge valve assembly'E into the interior of the housing I1 and then into the bore of the tubing thereabove, while the well fluids B will be trapped within the bore of the tubular rod by the ball 4l so as to be lifted within said rod. Continued reciprocation of the plunger will admit additional well uids and will lift the same separately within the rod and tubing to the surface so as to separately discharge the same through the lines 24 and 25.

Although the pumping mechanism has been described vin connection with producing formations which have ceased to' ow under their own pressure, it is manifest that said mechanism is not toA be limited to such installation and may be usedv when either formation iiows under its own pressure. As is clearly shown in Fig. 8, the tubular rod 2i? is made up of a plurality of sections 95 which are connected by coupling collars 96 in the' usual manner. If it is desired to permit mixing of the well fluids from the formations A and B within the tubing, it would be unnecessary to separately lift said uids or for the tubular rod to extend to the surface. In this event, a solid rod 91 would be employed above the mechanismy D aridV would be screw-threaded into theA 9 uppermost collar 96, which is carried by the upper end of the tubular rod section extending through and above the valve assembly E and packing assembly 15, and suitable openings or slots 98 would be formed in said collar. Thus, the fluids from the lower formation B would be discharged from the tubular rod through the openings 98 into the tubing I3 so as to be lifted therein with the fluids from the upper formation A. Manifestly, this arrangement would eliminate the necessity for the tee 22 and the flow line 24 at the surface.

A slightly modied form of the invention is shown in Figs. 13, 14 and 15 and includes the lifting mechanism C with its standing valve 26,

seating nipple 30, gas anchor 32, working barrel 35, plunger 30 and travelling valve 30, which have not been illustrated other than in Figs. 6 and '7. ln addition, the modified form of mecha- ..nlsm includes a discharge or travelling valve assembly EE, an inlet or standing valve assembh7 FF, a tubular mandrel supported within the inlet valve assembly, a packing assembly |15, a latch assembly |85 and a tubular rod |20 which are similar to the discharge valve assembly E, inlet valve assembly F, mandrel 60, packing assembly 15, latch assembly S and rod 20, respectively, of the iirst form of the invention. It is pointed out that the lower end of the mandrel K|60 is connected directly vto the section of tubing i3 immediately above the working barrel 35 by means of a suitable coupling collar 00. An annular snap ring |00 is disposed within the lower portion of the bore of the mandrel |60 within' a complementary groove or recess |0| for supporting the packing assembly (Fig. 10). Due to the provision of the snap ring |00, the necessity for the flanged nut 84 is eliminated and a conventional cylindrical nut |80 is substituted at the upper end of the packing assembly |15 for said flanged nut. With the exception of this support, the packing assembly |15 and lock assembly |85 may be identical to the packing assembly 'I5 and lock assembly 85 and, if desired, either type vof support may be used with either of the packing and latch assemblies.

instead of the annular flange 03 of the plunger travelling valve 30, the tubular rod is provided with a special coupling collar |02 intermediate the plunger and said latch assembly for retracting the fingers |81 and releasing the latch 1assembly |85. An annular, internally-beveled flange |93, similar to the flange 93, is formed on the upper end of the collar |02 and is of such diameter as to engage within the latch body |85, whereby the internal beveled surface of the flange will co-act with the lower beveled ends |92 of the latch fingers |87 to retract said fingers and withdraw their lugs |00 from the groove ISI of the mandrel |00. Manifestly, the same function is performed by the flanges 93 and |93 and the same may be substituted for one another.

It is pointed out that the inlet valve assembly FF includes a short body |40 having a depending collar |45, which are similar to the body 00 :and collar 135 of the inlet valve assembly F, while the upper portion of the mandrel |00 projects 'through the bore |58 of said body |45 and has external screw-threads |02 for connection with :said collar |45. Thus,the mandrel |60 is supported by the inlet valve assembly FF. The upper 'end of the body |00 is Vscrew-threaded within the lower end of a housing II which is similar to the housing I1 of lthe mechanism D, and which, in turn, has its upperend s crew-thraded upon l0 the lower end of a working barrel or cylinder |03 connected in the tubing and forming a part of an upper lifting mechanism DD.

It is pointed out that the valve assembly FF is necessarily a combination of the assemblies F and E in that the valve seat |40, ring valve |52 and guide collar |60 of said assembly FF surround the mandrel |60 and merely are supported by the body Hi. As is clearly shown in Fig. 13, a section |2| of the tubular rod |20 extends through the working barrel |03 and this section has its upper portion reduced in diameter to provide an upwardly and inwardly inclined shoulder or seat |00. A cylindrical nipple |05, having an internal seating surface |05 complementary to the shoulder |00, surrounds the rod section internally of the working barrel and is supported by the co-action of said shoulder and seating surface. Below the latter, the bore yof the nipple |05 is enlarged to provide a recess |01 which is internally screw-threaded for receiving the upper end of a tubular, metallic plunger or piston |00. The end portions |09 of the plunger are of an enlarged external diameter so as to have a snug sliding engagement with the internal surface of the working barrel. The internal diameter of the plunger |00 is greater than the external diameter of the rod section |2| so as to provide an annular now space H0 therebetween and this space communicates with the recess |01 of the nipple |05. 1n order to maintain the plunger in axial alinement with the rod section, a plurality7 of internal, radial lugs l|| are carried by the lower end of said plunger and engage the exterior of said rod section (Fig. 16). A plurality of vertical ports or openings |12 are formed in the nipple |05 in surrounding relationship to the internal seating surface |05 and these ports have their lower ends communieating with the recess |0I,.while their upper ends open into an annular groove or recess I3 formed in the upper end of said nipple. The groove ||3 is adapted to be closed by an annular valve seat H0, slidably mounted upon the reduced upper portion of the rod section above the seat |00, having a plurality of vertical ports or openings I I5 communicating with said groove.

For establishing communication between the ports ||5 and the bore of the working barrel |03 above the seat lill, the upper end of said seat is provided with an annular groove or channel H0 which is preferably of reduced width. Flow through the ports of the valve seat is controlled by an annular or ring valve 200 which has a loose sliding iit upon the reduced portion of the rod section |2| and a groove 20| in its lower surface complementary and communicating with the valve seat channel I I6. A guide collar 202, similar to the guide collar |09 of the inlet valve assembly FF and having similar radial lugs 203 for limiting upward' movement of the valve ring 200, is confined upon the rod section internally of said ring valve and in engagement with the seat IM by a pair cylindrical nuts 204 which are'screwthreaded upon said rod section. In addition to guiding the vertical movement of the ring'valve and limiting its upward movement relative to its seat and the rod section, the collar 202v serves to hold the seat as well as the nipple |05 in position upon said mandrel. Thus,v the plunger |08 is mounted in a fixed position relative tothe rod. section due to the seating surface |06 of the nipple being urged into snug,- wedging engagement with the seat |04 of said mandrel by the tightening of the nuts 204. A conventional cou- 11 -pling collar 205, connects the upper reduced portion of the rod section |2| to the rod thereabove in the usual manner.

The operation of this form of the invention is substantially identical to `the operation of the first form of the invention except for the pro vision of the mechanism DD. The well fluid from the formation A, which accumulates within the casing above the packer I4, will be drawn into the interior of the housing through the inlet valve assembly FF upon the upstroke of the tubular rod |20 and the plunger |08. Upon the downstroke of the plunger these `well fluids will pass upwardly through the annular flow space I between said plunger and the rod section |2|, then through the recess |07 of the nipple |05, the ports H and groove ||6 of the valve ||4 and the groove 20| of the ring Valve 200. Manifestly, the ring valve will be unseated by these well fluids so as to permit the same to ilow into the working barrel |03 above the discharge valve assembly EE, whereby said fluids will be lifted by the plunger |08 upon subsequent upward reciprocation thereof. Since the lower end of the rod |20 is connected to the plunger of a lifting mechanism similar to the plunger 36 of the lifting `mechanism C, it is readily apparent tha-t the well fluids from the formation B will be admitted to the bore of said rod and lifted therein in the same manner as described in connection with the rst form of the invention.

Due to the inlet valve assembly FF being disposed above or at the upper end of the packing assembly |15, the well fluids from the upper formation A are prevented vfrom flowing below said valve assembly and into the space above the plunger of the lower lifting mechanism externally of the rod |20 and internally of the tubing. It is pointed out that the mandrel Ito extends through the bore of the body `|46 into the housing and the packing assembly ,|75 seals oi between the tubular rod and said mandrel, where by the well fluids from the formation A may only ilow upwardly through said housing. However, the coupling |02 (Fig, 15) is preferably provided with openings or ports 2.06 for establishing oommunication between the bore of the tubular rod and the annular space exterior thereof and thereby perm-it the well fluids from the lower forma! tion B to accumulate within said space, Upon the downstroke of the plunger -36 and rod 20, the latter` well fluids will flow upwardly through said plunger and the travelling valve 30 into said rod and out through the ports 206 Q the collar` |02 into the annular space Within Athe tubing between the packing assembly and plunger. .Reduction of the area of this space. by the upstroke of the plunger, will cause the fluids therein to `be displaced through the collar ports 205 and then upwardly within the bore of the rod |20. Thus, the space between the plunger and either packing assembly is utilized `as an accumulating chamber for the well fluids of one of the formations with either form of the invention. As has been explained, the flange |93 of the collar |02 functions in exactly the same manner as the flange 93 of the plunger travelling valve 39 to retract the latch lingers |81 for releasing the latch assembly |85. Thus, the rod |20 and thev various elements carried by said rod Ina-y 'be readily inserted and removed from the tubing. '1tis pointed out'that the coupling collar 96 and solid rod 9'! may be substituted for the collar 205 and the tubular rod thereabove if it is desired to permit admixing 12 ofthe well fluids from the two formations within the tubing (Figs. `17, 18 and 19) The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A mechanism for simultaneously producing well fluids from two formations within a well bore including, a conductor depending within a Well bore and extending through an upper producing formation to a lower producing formation, a well packer Within the well bore between the formations and surrounding the conductor for sealing off said formations from each other, means establishing communication between the lower portion of the conductor and the lower formationv and permitting the accumulation of the well fluids thereof within said conductor, reciprocal pump means disposed within the conductor for simultaneously lifting the well fluids of said formations, a tubular rod depending within said conductor and having connection with the pump means for reciprocating the same, means for sealing off between the rod and conductor, said rod and conductor having a chamber formed therebetween for receiving the Well fluids of the upper formation, and an inlet for admitting the latter well fluids to the chamber, the lower end of the rod communicating with the lower portion of the conductor for receiving the. well fluids of the lower formation, the upper formation iluids within said chamber and the lower formation fluids within the lower portion of said conductor being exposed to the pump means so .as to be simultaneously and separately lifted upon reciprocation of said pump means.

2. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pump means includes annular means for lifting the well fluids of the upper rformation within the conductor .externally .of thetubular rod.

3. A mechanism for simultaneously producing well fluids from two folmations Within a .single well bore including, a pair of conductors disposedv one within the other and depending within a well bore so as to extend through an upper pro-- ducing formation to a lower producing formation, a well packer within the well bore between the formations and surrounding the outer conductor to seal off said formations from each other, the inner conductor being reciprocal and having its bore in communication with the lower formation for receiving the well uids thereof, lifting means reciprocated by said inner conductol Within said .Outer Conductor, means Y.for sea1 ine oi between the conductors and forming a chamber therebetween, .and an inlet for admitting the well fluids of the yupper formation to the chamber, the bore of the inner conductor and said chamber communicating with the lifting means so as to `expose the well fluids therein to the action of said lifting means, whereby said well fluids will be simultaneously and separately lifted upon reciprocation of the `lifting means by said inner conductor.

4. Amechanism as set'forth in claim 3 wherein the lifting means includes annular means dis posed within the chamber for lifting the well fluids therein through the outer conductor ex? ternally ofthe inner conductor.

5. A mechanism as set forth in cla-im 3 including, latch means carried by the inner conductor and co-acting with the outer conductor for removably fastening said inner conductor within said outer conductor so as to readily permit the insertion and removal of the inner conductor.

6. A mechanism as set forth in claim 3 including, co-acting means carried by the conductors for removably latching the sealing means in sealing position, to release said sealing means upon a predetermined movement of the inner conductor to permit removal thereof.

7. A mechanism as set forth in claim 3 including, a latch assembly associated with the sealing means for removably fastening the sealing means in sealing position, the inner conductor being slidable through said sealing means, means carried by the outer conductor for receiving and co-acting with the latch assembly, and releasing means carried by said inner conductor for engaging and releasing said latch assembly from the co-acting means of said outer conductor upon a predetermined movement of the inner conductor.

8. A mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein the lifting means includes a working barrel connected to the lower end of the outer conductor and having the lower end of its bore communicating with the lower formation so as to receive the well fluids thereof, a plunger carried by the inner conductor and slidably mounted within the working barrel, the plunger having means for establishing communication between said inner conductor and the lower end of said working barrel, the chamber communicating with the upper end of the barrel whereby the well Iiuids of the two formations will be separately lifted within the inner conductor and chamber by the reciprocation of said plunger.

9. A mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein the lifting means includes a pair of plungers carried by the inner conductor and slidable within working barrels connected in the outer conductor, the upper working barrel communicating with the chamber so that its plunger lifts the well fluids of the upper formation, the lower plunger having means for establishing communication between the lower working barrel and said inner conductor, said lower working barrel communieating with the lower formation whereby said lower plunger lifts the well fluids of said lower formation through the inner conductor.

l0, A mechanism for simultaneously producing well fluids from two formations within a single well bore including, a tubing depending within a Well bore and communicating with one of the producing formations, a well packer within the well bore in sealing engagement therewith and surrounding the tubing for sealing off said formations from each other, a conductor reciprocally mounted in said tubing in communication with the other producing formation, whereby admixing of the well fluids of the formations with each other is prevented, and pumping means actuated by reciprocation of the conductor for simultaneously lifting said well fluids separately through said conductor and tubing, said conductor and pumping means being releasably latched in said tubing so as to be readily insertable and removable without rotation,

ll. A mechanism for simultaneously producing well fluids from two formations 'within a single well bore including, a tubing depending within a well bore and communicating with one of the producing formations, a well packer within the well bore in sealing engagement therewith and surroundingthe tubing for sealing off said formations from'each other, a conductor reciprocally mounted in said tubing in communication with the other producing formation, whereby admixing of the well fiuids of the formations with each other is prevented, a working barrel having one end in communication with the tubing and its other end communicating with the conductor, and a tubular plunger slidably mounted in the barrel and reciprocable by said conductor, the plunger' sealing off the ends of said barrel from each other to prevent admixing of the well fluids of the two formations, the bore of the plunger communicating with the bore of the conductor and establishing communication between said conductor bore and one end of the barrel, whereby reciprocation of said plunger will force one formation fluids upwardly through said barrel and externally of said conductor and the other formation fluids upwardly through said conductor bore.

12,. In a pumping mechanism for producing well iiuids from two formations within a single well bore, a pair of substantially axially alined working barrels, a plunger in each barrel, means connecting the pluri-gers, packing means sealing off between the connecting means and lower barrel, the packing means and lower plunger being insertable and removable through the upper barrel upon axial movement with the upper plunger and connecting means, and a latch assembly for removably fastening said packing means in sealing position, the latch assembly including resilient latch fingers and coacting engagement means. f

13. In a pumping mechanism as set forth in claim l2, releasing means ca ried by the connecting means for engaging and retracting the latch fingers to disengage the same from the engagement means upon upward movement of said connecting means beyond its normal pumping travel.

14.' In a well bore communicating with two producing formations, an oil string of casing, a flow tubing within the casing, a solid sucker rod string mounted for reciprocation within the tubing, a hollow rod section on the solid sucker rod string, means dividing the annular spaces between the casing and tubing and the tubing and hollow rod section into separate chambers, means establishing communication between certain of the chambers and between the hollow-rod section and certain of the chambers to provide two separate passages communicating with the formations respectively, and two traveling valve assemblies carried by the hollow-rod section, one interiorly of and the other eXteriorly of the hollow-rod section, said assemblies adapted to control flow through said separate passages upon reciprocation of the hollow rod.

l5. In a well bore communicating with two producing formations, an oil string of casing, a flow tubing within the casing, a solid sucker rod string mounted for reciprocation within the tubing, a hollow rod section on the solid sucker rod string, means dividing the annular spaces between the casing and tubing and the tubing and hollow rod section into separate chambers, means establishing communication between certain of the chambers and between the hollow-rod section and certain of the chambers to provide two separate passages communicating with the formations respectively, and two traveling and standing valve assemblies associated with the hollow-rod section for controlling fluid iiow from the two for- 115 mations,Y one traveling valve residing within the hollow-rod section and the other traveling valve surrounding the hollow-rod section.

16. In a well bore communicating with two prod'ucing formations, an oil string of casing, a ow tubing within the casing, a solid sucker rod string mounted for reciprocation within the tub'- ing and means associated with the casing, tubing and sucker rod dividing the annular spaces therebetween into separate ow passages from the producing formations, said means including a hollow rod section connected in the sucker rod string and forming a part of the passage which includes the upper portion of the tubing, and means carried by the hollow rod section for simultaneously inducing now through said passages.

17. In awell bore communicating with two producing formations, a string of casing, a string of tubing within the casing, a string of solid sucker rod mounted for reciprocation within the tubing, a hollow-rod section secured to the lower end ofV the sucker rod, and means including packers `and ports dividing the interiors of the casing, tubing and hollow-rod sections into two separate passages for producing well uids from the formations without commingling the fluids, one part of one of the passages including the interior of the hollow-rod section and one part of the other passage including at least a part of the space between the tubing and hollow-rod section.

18. In a well bore communicating with two producing formations, a string of casing, a string of tubing within the casing, a string of solid sucker rod mounted for reciprocation within the tubing, a hollow-rod section secured to the lower end of the sucker rod, means including packers and ports dividing the interiors of the casing, tubing and hollow-rod section into two separate passages for producing well fluids from the formations without commingling the fluids, one part of one of the passages including the interior of the hollow-rod section and one part of the other passage including at least a portion of the space between the tubing and hollow-rod section, and two means carried by the hollow-rod section and residing respectively within the latter parts ofthe two passages for inducing and controlling the flow therethrough upon reciprocation of the hollow-rod section.

19. In a well bore communicating with two producing formations, a string of casing, a string of tubing within the casing, a solid sucker rod string mounted for reciprocation within the tubing, a hollow-rod section secured to the lower end of the sucker rod, means including packers and ports dividing the interiors of thev casing, tubing and hollow-rod section into two separate passages for producing well iuids from the formation without commingling the fluids, one part of one of the passages including the interior of the hollow-rod section and one part of the other passage including at least a part of the space between the tubing and hollow-rod section, and two travelingand standing-valve assemblies associated with the hollow-rod section for controlling fluid ow from the two formations, one traveling valve residing within the hollow-rod section andthe other traveling valve surrounding the hollow-rod section.

20. In a well bore communicating with two producing formations, a string of casing, a string of tubing within the casing, the strings extending substantially to the lower formation, means sealing off between the casing and tubing, one of the sealing means being above the upper producing formation and the other located intermediate the formations, a solid sucker rod mounted for reciprocation within the tubing, a hollow-rod section carried at the lower end of the sucker rod, packer means carried by the hollow-rod section adapted to be releasably anchored within the tubing to provide seals between the tubing and hollow section,- the packer means being mounted upon the hollow section in such manner that said packer means may be lowered into and withdrawn from anchored position within the tubing by 'axial movement of said hollow-rod section, port means in said casing, tubing and hollow-rod section providing, together with the casing tubing annulus, the tubing hollow-rod annulus and the interior of said hollow-rod section, separate flow passages for separately conducting well iiuids from both producing formations.

21. The combination set forth in claim 20 including, two traveling valve means carried by and removable with said hollow-rod section and residing in the separate flow passages respectively for inducing flow of fluids from both formations upon reciprocation of said section.

JAMES E DAVIS. ARTHUR SANDHOFER.

REFERENCES CITED Ther following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 42,686 Reynolds May 10, 1864 50,911 Culp Nov. 14, 1865 620,041 Koogler Feb. 2l, 1899 1,616,201 Shearer Feb. l, 1927 1,665,639 Patterson Apr. 10, 1928 1,723,682 Deming Aug. 6, i929 2,281,899 White May 5, 1942 

